Improvement in thill-couplings



JEROME S. SMITH, OF PROVINOETOWN, MASSACHUSETTS.

IMPROVEMENT IN THILL-CQUPLINGS.

Speclcation forming part of Letters Patent No.

October To all whom it may concern Be it known that l, JEROME S. SMITH, of Provincetown, in the county of Barnstable and State of Massachusetts, have invented an Improved Shaft-Couplingior Vehicles,ofwhich the following is aspeciiication:

Myinvention consists in an improved device for connecting the shafts of vehicles to the axle-tree, and it is so constructed as to admit ofthe shafts being readily attached to, and detached from, the axle-tree, and when attached to be securely held without the use of bolts and nuts, as in the ordinary method.

Referring to the drawings, Figure l is a perspective view of my invention 5 Fig. 2 shows the manner of connecting the shaft to the axle, and Fig 3 shows the end of the shaft to be attached to the axle.

Similar letters represent like parts in the several figures.

A represents aI portion ofthe axletree to which the coupling portion B is attached. Two of these couplings are placed upon each axle so as to receive the ends of the two shafts. The coupling portion B is composed of a back, m., and two side pieces, b c, projecting at right angles from the same, and a seat, f, formed with a cavity for the reception of a piece of india-rubber, g, or other elastic material for the purpose of preventing rattling of the parts. At the lower end of each projecting piece b and cis a hole, c d. In one of the projecting sides c is a beveled slot or opening, h., extending from the top of the saine to the hole d. The coupling portion B is secured to the axle by means of the piece a., which forms a part of the same, and extends over the top of the axle, and, passing` down in the rear through the bar t', is secured by a nut, j. Under the front portion is also a projection passing through the bar t', and secured by a nut,j. l in Fig. 3 represents acylindrical bar or bolt attached by means of a metal strap, k, to the shaft ml. The ends of the bolt l extend beyond the sides of the strap k, as shown in Figs. 3 and 2.

The mode of attaching the shafts to the axle is as follows:

The shafts are elevated so as to allow the 162,202, dated April 20, 1875; application filed 19, 1874.

bolt l to pass sidewise through the hole d into the opposite hole c, at the same time allowing the lower portion of the strap `7c to pass through the opening` L. The shafts being lowered, the bolt or bar Zhears against the elastic cushion g, and the shafts are then securely fastened to the axle, and can only be released therefrom by bringing them to an upright position again. 'The opening for the elastic cushion in the bottom f may extend the whole width of the same. The portion of coupling attached to the axleis to be made of malleable iron, and the bolt l and strap k of wrought-iron.

It will be readily seen that the shafts, when thus attached to the axle, are absolutely se cure, a-nd by no motion of the horse, when harnessed to the vehicle, can the shafts become disengaged from the vehicle.

The portion c, by which the coupling B is secured to the axle-tree, is cast in a straight piece together with the coupling B, and, being of malleable iron, can be bent to fit over any shaped axle-tree, whether curved or any other form.

I am aware that it is not broadly new to construct the clip of a thill-coupling so that the end of the thill can only be placed therein in a vertical position, the thill being then turned downward, whereby it cannot be accidentally displaced, and such, broadly, I disclaim.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

The clip B, having the solid vertical back fm, and lateral side pieces b c, with the openings c and d, the vertical opening or slot It, and dat seatf, having a cushion, g, all constructed and combined for operation in connection with the shaft, having the cylindrical bolt l, as and for the object specified.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specilcation in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

JEROME S. SMITH.

Witnesses J. H. ADAMS,

MATTHIAs J. LAMBRECHT. 

